SAVANNA, Ill. — Savanna, Illinois, is the best small town in the U.S. for adventure, according to USA Today.
This is the second year in a row that USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice awards named Savanna the No. 1 small town in the category.
According to USA Today, a panel of experts partnered with the 10Best editors to choose the initial nominees for the award, but it was a popular vote that chose the final 10 winners.
"Thank you to everyone in the community who has worked so hard to make Savanna a travel destination," Savanna Marketing Director Brienna Junk said in a statement acknowledging the win. "Thank you to the lodging owners, and those for work in lodging, for hosting and welcoming all our visitors to Savanna. And every shop, bar, restaurant and service owner and employee who gives everything they must to provide a great experience to locals and tourists every day."
Savanna ranks highest in the top 10 small towns for adventure ahead of Ellicottville, New York; Taos, New Mexico; North Conway, New Hampshire; Boone, North Carolina; Stowe, Vermont; Sheridan, Wyoming; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Beaufort, North Carolina; and Gorham, New Hampshire.
"Savanna, hugging the Mighty Mississippi and along the Bluffs of the Driftless area in Northwest Illinois, is a starting point for 60 miles of bike trails - the Great River Bike Trail - but it is also a favorite stop for motorcyclists," 10Best Local Expert Jacky Runice wrote for USA Today.
Some of the other categories on USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards list are best small town food scene, best historic small town, best small town cultural scene and best small town for shopping.